The lack of enthusiasm by many about Berg n Dal.
It was a camp that broke the rules in terms of architecture.
It was the first camp to be considered thoroughly modern.
There were often protests at Bushbuckridge.
Many is the time we had to take a longer route.
Cars were often stoned and police were out in full force.
In those day we would often stay at :Sabie Sands" and we would have to check on the safety of roads before travelling.
The area around Kruger was really poor, shanty town at its worst.
The AIDS epidemic was becoming a reality and funeral parlours were springing up all over the place.
It was not unusual to see signs like: Special: Two tombstones for the price of one".
Another was, "Fresh meat sold here and underneath, funeral parlour".
We would have to write months before a trip requesting nights accommodation.
We would then be given written confirmation or refusal.
There was also a strict allowance on the number of nights we were allowed to stay.
There were very few foreign voices.
Those that came were usually on tours.
Far fewer sightings of elephant, rhinos and wilddog.
The hyenas were still being fed by tourists.
The larger camps would have wildlife movies at night and talk by a ranger.
Poaching was a problem, but more focused on ellies.
There were very active army bases on the Mozambique border.
Kobie's Krugers books give a bit of a sense of the army presence during that time.
It is also worth reading Bruce Brydon.
I never saw a black, coloured or Indian tourist.
Anyone with a darker face was considered to be a servant.
This was in the late 60's and 70's. Did season tickets exist, or was it a form of a Wild Card.
